> There have been a couple such studies, mostly performed by companies> trying to evalate the two different types of programming. The book> (naturally out of print) "Psychology of programming" cites a number of> these. The problem is so much depends on the quality of the particular> programmers used for the study.

But that's precisely the point: in most cases, the *average* programmer
will be incapable of beating a good optimizing compiler. Sure, a good
programmer, with a really thorough, deep understanding of the
architecture can, if given enough time, beat any optimizing compiler.

There was a paper recently awarded an IgNobel prize that looked into
people's self-perception of their own competence, and found that, like
in Lake Wobegon, most people (> 80%) thought themselves "above average"
in whatever skills they were proud of..